R. v. Cross, (1976) 16 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 508 (NFPC)

• Court: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court (Canada)
• Case Date: July 15, 1976
• Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
• Citations: (1976), 16 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 508 (NFPC)

R. v. Cross (1976), 16 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 508 (NFPC);

    42 A.P.R. 508

MLB headnote and full text

R. v. Cross

Indexed As: R. v. Cross

Newfoundland Provincial Court

District of St. John's

Luther, Mag.

July 15, 1976.

Summary:

This headnote contains no summary.

Narcotic Control - Topic 676

Offences - Possession - Defences - Possession of insignificant amount - The accused was found in possession of a pipe containing the residue of hashish - The accused was charged with possession and pleaded the maxim "de minimus non curat lex" - The Newfoundland Provincial Court convicted the accused and held that it was not a defence that the amount possessed was insignificant.

Cases Noticed:

Taverner v. Cromwell (1594), Cro. Eliz. 353; 78 E.R. 601, dist. [para. 4].

The "Reward" (1818), 2 Dods. 265; 165 E.R. 1482, dist. [para. 4].

R. v. McBurney, 24 C.C.C.(2d) 44, not folld. [para. 6].

R. v. Worsell, [1969] 2 E.R. 1183, refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. Patrick, 26 C.C.C.(2d) 561 (N.B.C.A.), refd to. [para. 9].

R. v. McLeod, 111 C.C.C. 137 (B.C.C.A.), appld. [para. 9].

R. v. Quigley, 111 C.C.C. 81 (Alta. C.A.), refd to. [para. 9].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code of Canada, R.S.C. 1970. c. C-34, sect. 3(4) [para. 7]; sect. 662.1(1) [para. 12].

Narcotic Control Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. N-1, sect. 2 [para. 11]; sect. 3(1) [para. 1].

Counsel:

David Day, for the Crown;

Paul Stokes, for the accused.

This case was heard at St. John's, Newfoundland, before LUTHER, MAG., of the Newfoundland Provincial Court, District of St. John's.

On July 15, 1976, LUTHER, MAG., delivered the following judgment: